Stainless Steel Guide

Types

304 (0Cr18Ni9): most common austenitic stainless steel. 316: add Mo for chlorine resistance. 420 (3Cr13): martensitic, hardenable. 440C: high carbon, highest hardness.

316 is essentially 304 with 2-3% Mo added, giving several times better chloride corrosion resistance. Coastal environments require 316.